Lise Watier Luminous Correcting Primer

When it comes to Luminous primers, I tend to just ignore them completely and try and find anything that's gives a matte/pore-less finish. For someone who has oily-skin, I've gotten the idea that adding anything else other than highlighter is too much and will make me look like a disco ball.

Luckily with shoppers drug mart cosmeticians handing out more samples I was able to try out this gem.

"The LUMINOUS CORRECTING PRIMER by Lise Watier, infused with Diamond Lumière Complex, corrects and naturally illuminates the complexion for a natural finish. Revolutionary light-reflecting pigments render the optical properties of the diamond and compensate for the lack of photoluminescence of the complexion."

The shade I ended up using was Apricot for it being suitable for medium to dark complexions  

Apricot is a orange/salmon colour. The texture feels a bit thick but still creamy enough to spread around the face. The light-attracting diamond complex evens out skin tone, appearance of wrinkles and pores gets decreased, skin discoloration is neutralized and and instantly restores a healthy glow.

The colour looks bight orange but blends well into the skin. for other skin tones there is the colour Banane(yellow) for fair/medium tones, Rose(pink) Lilas is best for yellow tones of olive and Asian complexions, and Vert(green) neutralizes redness and unevenness. 

When I read about it having diamond complex I was a bit hesitate because I thought it be a bit much but it gave me a nice sun-kissed glow. When I applied it on, first thing I noticed was how matte feeling it felt on my skin. Most Luminartors feel very moisturizing or just sit on the skin but this felt like my skin absorbed it nicely without making my skin feel dry. I also noticed it helped out my dark circles a bit before applying any concealer or highlighting creams. For my pores I don't really have an issue their but I didn't see my pores become accentuated or appear larger. For the most part I like using this primer alone without foundation and I haven't noticed my skin becoming more oily than usual. When wearing it under foundation it does have a good staying power and made my matte foundation more dewy and natural looking throughout the day. 

Overall I'm very happy with this product. Does exactly what it says very quickly and well worth trying a sample of it to start. 

The price is $40 CAN on the Lise Watier website and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart and The Hudson's Bay.

Wellibox Review May 2015

What is Wellibox?

 It's a monthly subscription box filled with Natural supplements and health snacks,

 mostly made by Organic, GMO free products.

Boxes can contain 6-12 samples and full-size supplements each month

How much is it? (CAN Prices)

$14.95 + Tax per month

$80 for 6 months ($13.33/month)

$150 1 year plan ($12.50/month)

Free shipping across Canada

With Monthly subscriptions becoming more popular over the last few years, it's no surprise that Canadians have gotten on the bandwagon of awaiting every month for a surprise at their doorstep. Health supplements and foods have definitely become one of those categories that users tend to try out first, because health products can be a bit pricey, and what better way to try products than to to get them sampled sized. 

Wellibox is one of the first Canadian discovery boxes that focuses on providing quality health, nutrition, and weight loss supplements. Their samples are designed to make one feel more confident when making purchases related to supplements and health food snacks.

The first box I received carried 2 Full-sized supplements and 4 food samples.

1. Nature's Field Natural Omega-3 120 softgels.

value $20

 2. JSK PRO Pumpkin Seeds

Protein Crunch

Value $5

 3. Purely Organics

Red Raspberry ketones 

90 capsules

Value $25 

 4, Trachealth Chia + Superfood drink 

value $2

 5, ProMax Cookies'n Cream

Energy Bar

Value $2.50

 6. Pure Organic Chocolate Brownie Bar

Value $2.50

Through personal experience I find it sometimes difficult to pay the full price of an item and come to find out that my stomach doesn't agree with it, or maybe the flavor wasn't what I was expecting. When I heard of wellibox, I knew I'd give it a go since American health subscriptions have become more expensive due to current exchange rates and shipping fees.

• Shipping was quick (2 days).
• They ship at the end of the month around the 25th.
• When joining, they have a his or her category to choose from.
• If you ended up enjoying a certain sample, you can order it directly through their website.

The total value for this box came to $57 CAN.

Would I recommend? Yes!
If your someone like me that take health products seriously and is a lifestyle for you I'd give wellibox a try. 
Not only are you getting amazing quality products but also subscribed to a Canadian company for a low price.

For more information, check out 

wellibox.com

*If you are a company/business & wish to contact me to review a product, etc, 

please email me at nancygonzalez.mua@gmail.com

FTC- I am not being paid by mentioned company to review their products,

 my opinions are my own.

Affiliated Link Provided*

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

One of the popular products floating around the drugstore has become matte foundations.

Matte foundations have been around for quite sometime, but lately I've been seeing more and more brand new ones on the shelves. 

One of the more recent ones that have come out is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation.

A number of us have already heard of a Fit me collection by Maybelline that came out awhile ago, but thankfully Maybelline came up with a Matte version collection with matching powder.

First thing I'd like to point is although it has a great colour range, the majority of the colours are yellow-based which works best for olive-warm skin tones. So if you plan on purchasing one, the tone might be a bit off. Luckily for myself I have a neutral/ yellowish tone so this foundation matched me quite well. 

I've been using this foundation daily for a few weeks now, and I have to say, it's been working well for me.

I knew it would be a good product for my skin type, because I have combination/oily skin.

Maybelline claims that it is a texture fitting foundation for the ultimate natural fit. Mattifies, erases pores and matches natural skin tone. Good for normal to oily skin. 

My Pros about the foundation:

• The colour suited well with my skin tone ( I am in 230 Natural Buff)
• Has not oxidized 
• light coverage when used with a beauty blender 
• Medium to build-able full coverage when used with a synthetic brush 
• Does not dry to a chalky matte finish
• Can be worn without a powder or setting spray
• Hasn't cause me to break out. (no acne grief)
• Lasted on me for 8+ hours without a touch-up
• Has a thick liquid texture

My Cons about the foundation:

• Alcohol is one of the first few ingredients on the list.
• Foundation has no pump
• Work in sections because it dries very quickly
• Sets into lines/pores if skin is not moisturized or primed well.
• Any dry patches can appear if skin is not exfoliated   

At first when I tried this foundation I was using only primers for oily skin and right away I noticed the foundation would just sink into my pores and under-eye lines so the pore-less clam did not work for me. But once I changed my primer to a silicone formula I noticed a flawless finish.

The price can range from $7-$12 CAN depending on the area you live in. 

If you plan of using this foundation daily, always keep hydrated and well moisturized for the alcohol can really dry out the skin. 

W7 Cosmetics Shadow Palettes (Urban Decay Naked Dupes?)

                                                     What is W7 cosmetics? 

 W7 cosmetics is a British cosmetic brand that provides an extensive range of high quality cosmetics at an affordable price. 

Where is W7 cosmetics sold?

W7 cosmetics can be found in certain beauty stores in London, England and other parts of Europe.

Price range? 

Drug store prices, very affordable. 

Out of all the palettes they have, I ended up ordering "in the buff" & "in the nude". Just by looking at the packaging, you can tell they have a same style as the Urban Decay Naked palettes.

In the Buff 

Natural nudes eye colour palette

(swatched once without primer)

In the Nude

Natural nudes eye colour palette

(swatched once without primer)

some colours are hard to see due to them blending to my tan skin

Are they Dupes?

Well to start, I do own all the urban decay naked palettes and yes these do remind me of Naked 2 & 3. The "In the buff" by W7 is a great dupe of the Naked 2 palette. Great pigmentation & easy to blend. For the "In the Nude" palette, it does remind me of the Naked 3 by urban decay but there are a few shadows on the w7 palette that are far more glittery than the shadows in urban decay. Not a problem really, you can simply spray your brush with water or Mac's fix+ before dipping into the glittery shadows and you're good to go. 

The prices for the W7 Palettes are $7.99+ US on amazon.com and $13.03 CAN on amazon.ca

Simply type w7 palettes to check out their variety of palettes.

The urban decay naked palettes on now $64 CAN. 

Want to earn money while you shop on amazon?

Join Ebates!

Click me to join

Birch Box Canada! My first Impressions

What is birchbox?

Monthly beauty sampling service that delivers 4-5 deluxe or full size products right to your door. 

How much is it?

$10 CAN + Tax
$100 for a year + shipping

$4.95 shipping for Canadians on birchbox.ca

Free shipping to Americans through birchbox.com 

Birchbox Canada's first box!

December 2014 (all deluxe samples)

Harvey Prince
Hello body cream (Full Size $26)
Infused with citrus-floral scents, that hydrates and leaves skin silky smooth.

 Vasanti Cosmetics
BrightenUp! Enzymatic face rejuvenator  (Full Size $34)
Mimics the effects of microdermabrasion for glowing, smooth skin.

Beauty Protector
Protect & Detangle (Full Size $26)
Best selling elixir that locks in color, protects from heat damage, and adds silkiness

 Benefit Cosmetics
Lollotint (Full Size $36)
Lip and cheek stain in a candy-orchid hue that blends in easily for long lasting colour.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty
Eyeliner in Black (Full Size $18)
Creamy liner from the NYC based designer for smudge proof, all day wear.

My thoughts
Firstly I'd like to say that I'm very pleased that birchbox has come back to Canada. Birchbox canada got cancelled a few years back, and after all these years of watching youtubers unbox this subscription every month, it made me very envious of them. I hardly ever hear anyone complain about birchbox. It's also been rumoured that birchbox is the original beauty subscription service in the market.

A few things I'd like to point out is how much I love their point rewards system. You can receive points by either shopping on their website, referring friends to the Program, and reviewing the samples such as making videos, etc. Best of all, the points you earn can be used to purchase full-size products! 

 For example if you have 100 points, that's $10 towards a product of your choice.

I'm very happy with the products I received this month, I honestly have no complaints whats so ever. The eyeliner has great pigmentation and did not smudge while i wore it. The "lollitint" is a beautiful colour and stays on for a long time, but you must work with it fast because it sets quickly. the hair detangler works great and the smell is amazing with a sweet, vanilla scent that makes you want to spray more. The Enzymatic works well. It didn't wow me, but regardless it's a good product. The Body cream is probably my favourite from the bunch because of the scent and how soft it made my skin feel. 

Overall I'm very pleased with Birchbox Canada's first box.

I hope they keep their A game on and stay with Canada for a long time. 

As always if interested, check their social media's for sign up promos. 

My Favorite Eye Primers

Hello, My name is Nancy and I'm addicted to Eye Primers. 

Seriously...I have a problem!

Primers in general have become a must for an individual that uses makeup on a daily basis. 

They are meant to be used before any makeup application to prolong the makeup wear for the day.

Eye primers should especially be used by anyone who wants to keep their eye make-up in place for long periods of time. The problem is, with so many out there, it can be overwhelming to know which one is right for you. I myself have extremely oily eyelids and have tried many over the years, and it can be difficult spending money on products that end up not working or drying out too quickly. Thankfully I have found a few eye primers that have become my holy grail, and just simply can't live without. 

I will discuss my Top 2 with drug-store dupes.

2. Mac Paint pots 

Now paint pots aren't really eye primers, they are described as,

 "A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners." (Mac website). 

One of the reasons why I love to use them a eye base, is because they have a big variety of colours that can cover up darkness on the eyelids, and make eyeshadows appears more intense.

Drug Store Dupe.

Maybelline Color Tattoos 

Just Like the Mac paint pots, the colour tattoos have great colour pigmentation that lasts for hours and of course are more than half the price of the Mac ones.

Mac Paint pots $25 CAN

Maybelline Color Tattoos $6+ CAN 

1. Lime Crime Eyeshadow Helper

Like I said before, I've tried everything out there and this one changed my life! I came across this eye primer on Instagram when Lime Crime was advertising the it. their packaging was getting a new look, and after reading many comments from their fans, I figured I should give it a try.

- sheer skin tone colour 

- thick texture

- Little goes a long way

- Can be used as a under eye primer.

Now I know it's good when my own clients call me the next day saying the eye shadow lasted through parties, weddings, and hours of sleep (sleeping in makeup is not recommended but it happens).

Drug Store Dupe

Milani Shadow Primer

Does a great job just as the Lime Crime primer but can be difficult to find in Canada. So far I've only seen it in stores owned by Presidents choice ( Loblaws, Real Canadian superstore, etc.)

Lime Crime Eye shadow helper $20 US

Milani Shadow primer $6+ CAN

What eye primer's have you found that works best for you? Are you still having trouble looking for one? Luckily for myself I found what works best for myself and my clients. I hope you found this helpful and as always thank you for reading. 

beautybox5 : Is it worth $17 CAN

What is Beautybox5?
Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling service that delivers 5 deluxe samples and full-sized products right to your door every month.

How much is it?
$12 CAN+ Tax
Free shipping for Americans, $3 shipping for Canadians 

What I received for November 2014
Micka K New York
Eyelight Crayon in Brown (retail $4.49)

 DenTek Floss Picks + Case (retail $2.49)

HASK Macadamia Revitalizing Shine oil (retail $2.99)

Laura Ashley Body Butter (retail $3.30)

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (retail $6.49 fullsize)

My favourite product in the box was the "Laura Ashley" body butter. Usually body butters are thick in texture, but this one had a whipped-watery feeling to it. At first I wasn't a fan of it, but it does moisturize my skin very well. Second would be the "HUSK" hair treatment oil. I used it on my daughter's hair and it helps keep her curly hair stay in place.

 The products that were "okay", were the Dove body wash and DenTek floss picks. These are products that can easily be found at your local drugstore or dollarstore.
The worst product for last... which is the Micka K Eyelight crayon. it is describes as a "creamy shadow stick that glides on easily and adds a pigmented pop of colour that lasts."
Right...
  At first I was excited to see a cream shadow stick, since I'm obsessed with everything makeup but the texture and staying power is horrible. I really liked how pigmented the product is but just swatching it you can tell it was going to smudge. I waited a few minutes to see if it would set but nothing. It moves with the slightest bit of pressure and becomes sheer.

Is it worth $17 CAN ????

Have to be honest and say. No!

I really did like beautybox5, but I just felt like it went down hill. One of the reasons why I love subscriptions is that I get to try new brands. Nowadays, the majority of these products can be found easily and sometimes even cheaper than the retail price that beautybox5 said it was worth. Plus! they are charging shipping for Canadians , which is a bummer but what can you do. I understand all subscriptions have their good and bad months, but it just feels as if its been declining more by the month. Sorry Beautybox5, Hopefully in the future you can prove me wrong so I can come back to yah :)

*everyone is entitled their opinion. In the end its all up to you. If you are interested in beautybox5 check them out on their social media pages for first time subscriber promotions.*